History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Part 53

Commerce/Trade/Mercantilism in Garhwal-Kumaon and Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in Kushan Age  

History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Part 53  

Historical Aspects of Ancient communities of Haridwar -Kumaon-Garhwal (Uttarakhand), Himalayas-50   

Historical Religious, political, administrative, social and cultural aspects of Kushan Era Part-V

( History write ups are dedicated to great Historians Hari Krishna Raturi, Badri Datt Pandey and Dr Shiv Prasad Dabral, K.P. Nautiyal, Jeewan Singh Kharakwal)

                                                       By: Bhishma Kukreti

                      The Rise of Mercantile Community in India before Kushan Era

    No doubt, the Indian political condition after Mayrya or even at the time of Mauryas was in bewildering and confused state. However, the trade gave continuity and consistency. The Kushan period saw more development and innovation in mercantile activities. The Mauryas opened sub continent by building roads and a uniform general administration. Shaka, Parthians and Kushan brought mid Asia orbit with Indian trade and encouraged trade with China. The trader community prospered and in turn they encouraged religious and literature activities by charity donations.

   The Guild became more important aspect in Indian urban life. The craftsmen joined Guilds as the individual craftsman was unable in competing the Guild production.

  Kushan dynasty had political connection with Rome, Sassanid Persia, Greek and Han China. This political diplomacy was an accelerating factor for export from India to these countries.  Kushan connected India with Silk Road.

 There was well connected trade rout in the time of Kushan in India and abroad as well. The vast trade centers were at strategic places those were enable exchange, storing and distribution of goods.  

                              Major Trade /Commercial Centers of Uttarakhand of Kushan Age

  Uttarakhand had unique products to supply in India and western world in Kushan time. Therefore, there were trade or commercial centers in plains of Uttarakhand.

Tibetan Border of Uttarakhand: The Tangan community from Tibet regions used to bring various exotic spices, herbs, animal parts, stones, gold dust, woolen produces, chanvar etc to the wholesale markets of Uttarakhand. The wholesalers used to sell those Tibetan products to other wholesalers for other territories. There was great demand for Tibetan Dogs in Persia and Rome.   The Tibetans (Tangan)  had to come through Uttarakhand for their supply.  

Kashipur (Kumaon):  Govishan (Kashipur) is situated in plains of Kumaon. The historians found Kushan period gold coins from Kashipur (Udham Singh Nagar, Kumaon). Dr. K.P. Nautiyal suggested these gold coins of Vasudev second. This clearly suggests that today’s towns as Kashipur, Jaspur, Gosukuan, Rudrapur were trade centers those used to connect  producers of Kumaon, Nepal and Tibet with Ayodhya, Patliputra, Haridwar , Shrughna, Mathura traders.  

Gangakhandar /Tip ka Tila Bijnor: The gold coins were found in Gangakhadar, Bijnor (Puri, India under Kushan page 69) that suggests that Gangakhadar, Bijnor, (now in Uttar Pradesh)   was one the wholesaling centers of Uttarakhand in Kushan Period.

Moradhwaj (Bijnor): Moradhwaj region was also a remarkable trading centre in Kushan and later period.

Veerbhadra (Dehradun near Haridwar):    Veerbhadra (Dehradun) was one the major trade centers of Uttarakhand in Kushan era.

Danda Lakhaur (Dehradun): was also a trade centre of Kushan Era.

Kankhal (Haridwar): The suggestions by historian are clear that Kankhal did not lose its importance in Kushan time.

Ladhang (Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar): It seems that there was township in this area and that would be one of trade centers of Kushan Era.

Kalkut (Kalsi, Dehradun) –The western Dehradun was the major most centre of Trade of Uttarakhand in Kushan Regime.

                           Exports from Uttarakhand in Kushan age

         Apart from herbs and medicines, Uttarakhand was major source of Borax (bought and brought from Tibet). The other items of Tibetan origin were sold through wholesalers of Uttarakhand markets were minerals and precious stones.

             The Uttarakhandis used to export minerals, woolen goods, hemp produces, various fibers products and fibers; animal skins, animal parts, precious stones, wooden items; Gangajal.    

Pilgrim as income source: The pilgrim places were also source of trade and income.

  Dr Shiv Prasad Dabral writes that there was increase and speedy development in trade activities in Uttarakhand in Kushan period.

***Historical Religious, political, administrative, social and cultural aspects of Kushan Era to be continued in … Part-6

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti 25/05/2013

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon write up is aimed for general readers)

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand) to be continued… Part -54

Historical Aspects of Ancient communities of Haridwar -Kumaon-Garhwal (Uttarakhand), Himalayas-50   

This chapter is part of History of Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of Laksar, Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of Sultanpur, Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of Rurkee, Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of manglaur, Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of Jabarhera , Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of Bhagwanpur, Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of Kankhal, Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of Sakrauda, Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of Jwalapur, Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of Biharigarh, Haridwar, Uttarakhand; History of Mohad, Haridwar, Uttarakhand;